Grandmother, 63, named as one of four family members killed in South Bermondsey mass stabbing

A grandmother has been named as one of four members of the same family stabbed to death inside a south London home.

Police made a “dreadful discovery” when they broke down the door of a house in Delaford Road, South Bermondsey, at 1.40am on Monday.

Inside Dolet Hill, a 63-year-old former NHS worker, was one of four people found with fatal stab wounds.

Two women in their 30s and 40s, and a man in his 60s, believed to be Ms Hill’s partner, were also discovered having been knifed.

Despite attempts to save them, all four died at the scene. Their next of kin are being contacted.

A man, in his late 20s, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and remains in custody.

Southwark Borough Commander Ch Supt Colin Wingrove confirmed that detectives were not looking for any one else in relation to the deaths at this stage.

Dolet’s niece, Venecia Reid, told The Independent her mother’s sister used to work as a housekeeper at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital.

She described Ms Hill as a “very nice lady, very friendly, she is a Christian”.

"She does not deserve this,” she said.

Ms Reid said the family, who she described as “really close”, originally moved to the UK from Jamaica.

Ch Supt Wingrove said in a statement to reporters at the scene: “In the early hours of this morning, following a call from neighbours, officers forced entry into a house here in Delaford Road.

“Inside the house they [detectives] made a dreadful discovery of four people who had been stabbed.

“Despite the best efforts of officers and paramedics, all four people were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of all those concerned.

“This is a deeply shocking incident and we will do everything we can to provide support to everyone affected at this difficult time.

“A man in his late 20s was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder, and he is currently in custody.

“At this early stage we are not looking for any other person.

“We believe all those involved may have been known to each other.”

Ch Supt Wingrove described it as a “terrible incident” and confirmed more police officers would be patrolling around South Bermondsey in the coming days.

Scotland Yard’s Murder Squad has launched an investigation, and the Southwark Borough Commander urged anyone with information to contact the police.

He said: “Such terrible events are rare, but this will not diminish the shock that was felt across London and beyond, and I can assure you that this investigation will be thorough to ensure justice for victims, their families and the community. “

One neighbour said that the victims were all part of the same family.

The neighbour, 55, told LondonWorld that he had heard screams coming from the house in the middle of the night.

He said: “Roughly around 1.30am I heard some screaming.

“It sounded like someone was getting battered, having a fight or getting beaten.

“I opened the window and didn’t see anything.

“I was dozing off again and then I heard the helicopters.

“When I opened the windows again I saw loads of police cars, four ambulances, helicopters hovering around.

“There were a lot of armed police here.

“It’s unsettling, unnerving - a very barbaric act.”